Iron Chef Mario Batali is challenged to a culinary showdown by Chef Charles Clark. Will Chef Clark impress the judges enough to overcome Iron Chef Batali, or will Iron Chef Batali's cuisine reign supreme?
Judges
Ted Allen
Elizabeth Blau
Akiko Katayama
Challenger stats: Chef Clark
From: Texas
Restaurants: Ibiza Food and Wine Bar, Catalan Food and Wine
Cuisine: New American with Spanish influence
Interests: Food history, Swedish clogs and jazz music
Ideal secret ingredient: Morcilla (Spanish black sausage)
Culinary inspirations: The Basque region, Paul Bocuse, Bernard Loiseau
Ideal judge: Julia Child
Culinary secret weapon: Ikea hand frothier
Favorite restaurant: Balthazar, N.Y.
Favorite food: Classic French and basque
Food you won't go near: Cottage cheese
Weirdest thing you've ever eaten: A live lizard
Favorite food destination: Southern France
Alternative dream job: Playing trumpet in a jazz band at a small club in Paris around 1961
